The 25 best Brazilian restaurants in America, according to Foursquare

Meat cooked in the traditional Churrasco style is sliced and served at Estilo Gaúcho Brazilian Steakhouse in Frisco, Texas.

With
the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro fast approaching, you may
find yourself craving some top-notch Brazilian food.

Luckily, popular city-guide app Foursquare is here to help: using
ratings and comments that touch on everything from food, to
service, to atmosphere, Foursquare has compiled
a list of 25 of America's best Brazilian restaurants.

This means that even if you haven't secured tickets to see the
games in person, you can dine just like a true spectator.

25. Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine

Moqueca, a traditional Brazilian fish stew, is clearly the main
attraction at this Californian locale - and with their multiple
varieties (including a vegetarian option that features plantains)
there's little reason to order anything else. If you're looking
to try something else, though, you can't go wrong with some
picanha.

24. Brazilian Bowl Grill

From their signature Brazilian Bowl (the restaurant's namesake),
to the burgers, beef, sausages, and smoothies, customers' rave
reviews prove that this joint does everything well. Most
importantly, though, the Brazilian Bowl Grill passes the
authenticity test with flying colors: "Tastes like home!" said a
Foursquare user who apparently hails from Brazil himself.

23. Favela Grill

Native Brazilians and native New Yorkers alike can't seem to get
enough of the variety of beef dishes, rice and beans, and
caipirinha. Live music on weekends makes for a fun atmosphere,
and notoriously big portions means you can take home plenty of
leftovers.

22. Rei Do Gado

Arrive before 2 p.m. to take advantage of the extensive lunch
buffet. An all-you-can-eat deal for just $25, it allows you to
taste a host of different dishes for a superb value. Although
their meat dishes steal the show, vegetarians can also feel at
home with their much-loved salad bar.

21. Malagueta Restaurant

Another place that offers the best of Brazil in the heart of New
York, Malagueta is praised for everything from its soups, to its
seafood, to its smoothies. Be sure to try the acarajé, a popular
Brazilian street food made of fried black eyed peas that isn't
found on many restaurant menus. For dessert, don't miss the
caramel flan.

20. Delicias De Minas Restaurante

"Everything is good," says a Foursquare user about Delicias De
Minas, and everyone else seems to agree. Not only is the food
excellent (with the perfectly-cooked meat receiving special
recognition), but the service is quick, and the environment is
family-friendly. If you can't make it to the restaurant in
person, don't worry: they deliver.

19. Terra Brasilis Restaurant

Great food, nice people, and good prices - there isn't much not
to like about this little piece of Brazil in the middle of
Bridgeport. It's great for groups and families, and if you can't
decide on one specific dish, their pay-by-the-pound buffet is
sure to leave you satisfied.

18. New York Pão De Queijo

Astoria strikes again as the setting for phenomenal Brazilian
fare: this time, it's a burger joint with a distinctly Brazilian
twist. Go out of your comfort zone with the banana burger, or
stick with more traditional dishes like pão de queijo (the
cheese bread that gives the restaurant its name). Don't forget to
wash it all down with fresh açaí juice - perfect for the summer
heat.

17. Brazil Fresh Squeeze Cafe

Berkeley students are lucky enough to have this colorful cafe
right next to their campus, but everyone else loves it, too. The
special sandwiches are an especially popular attraction: they're
a great way to take Brazilian food on the go. Wash it all down
with an authentic Brazilian soda, and you'll be sure that you
aren't in America anymore.

16. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse

This ideal date-night spot is worth splurging a bit. Besides the
top-notch service and atmosphere, each menu item is better than
the one before it. It's easy to fill up on the delicious salad
bar at the start, but you will definitely want to save room for
the main meal and the tasty side dishes that the "Gaucho" servers
bring out with it.

15. Pampas Grill Farmers Market

At Pampas Grill, you can dine in and then take your favorites to
go from the farmers market upstairs. And that's a major perk:
it's impossible to try all of their beloved menu items in one
sitting. The meat is top-quality and very reasonably priced, and
you can't go wrong by adding some plantains or yucca fries on the
side.

14. Churrascaria Plataforma

Churrascaria Plataforma is renowned for its Rodízio: an
all-you-can-eat service style that is specific to Brazilian
restaurants. Each table gets a card that's green on one side and
red on the other. When the green side is facing up, servers come
around and fill every plate at the table with a selection of meat
dishes, and they will continue to do so until you are positively
inundated, according to Foursquare reviewers. Even better, all of
the red meat is Certified
Sterling Silver, meaning it's the best beef
produced in the US.

13. Berimbau do Brasil

"Authentic Brazilian food at its finest," raves one
Foursquare user, and others heartily agree. From the
coxinha (croquettes of fried dough with meat
filling), to the yucca fries, to the caipirinha,
native Brazilians flock to this restaurant for a taste of home.
The açaí bowls are also said to be some of the best in town.

12. Esperanto

Besides being one of the "best brunch deals in the city,"
according to one Foursquare user, Esperanto has a colorful,
beachy vibe with live music that makes you feel more like you're
somewhere in the Caribbean than in the middle of the Big Apple.
Of course, the food and drinks are good, too: superb Brazilian
eats with influences from other Latin American cuisine are
complemented by strong, flavorful beverages at the bar.

11. Casa

The feijoada, bife acebolado (a hearty beef dish), and coconut
caipirinhas are just some of the menu highlights at this
cozy spot in the West Village. Bring a date, expect good service,
and don't leave without trying the brigadeiros for
dessert.

10. Beco

"Feijoada is the first test of any Brazilian restaurant,
and Beco passes with flying colors," says a Foursquare user.
Beyond that tasty dish, their pão de queijo
and moqueca also received lots of praise, as well as the outdoor
dining and live Latin jazz music.

9. Estilo Gaúcho Brazilian Steakhouse

Guests at this Brazilian hotspot can't get enough of the filet
mignon, picanha, and leg of lamb, but what really makes the place
stand out is its incredible service. One Foursquare user said it
was "hands down the best service I've ever had," and others
echoed the sentiment - after all, the dining experience is a very
important part of the meal.

8. Brazilian Grill

Customers caution against filling up on the salad bar - the meat
is simply too delicious. Opt for the Rodízio and have waiters
bring it all straight to you, or go for the meat buffet and get
it for yourself. If you still have room for more after the main
meal, try one of their delectable desserts.

7. Pantanal Restaurant and Churrascaria

Hailed by many Foursquare users as the best Brazilian restaurant
in Bridgeport, the food and atmosphere at this place will make
you feel like you dropped into the middle of Rio. Everything is
good, but the chicken wrapped in bacon is a special favorite. Be
sure to try the Brazilian beers, and hang out for the live DJ
acts.

6. Texas de Brazil

Coming hungry is a must, and customers advise skipping over the
salad and bread to take advantage of the "unlimited" supply of
meat that you get with the $50-per-person fixed price deal. If
you're not in the mood for beef, the lobster bisque is a
standout. Top it all off with the Brazilian cheesecake or Milky
Way Martini, and roll your way home.

5. Bossa Nova Brazilian Cuisine

The extensive menu satisfies every palate with a mix of authentic
Brazilian cuisine and traditional American dishes. No one can
seem to agree on the best meal, so order anything - you can't go
wrong. The service is fabulous, and the portions are easily large
enough to share.

4. Cafe Brasil

The fish polenta, avocado a cavalo, and açaí bowls have
people lining up for this place, so make sure to get there
slightly before or after the rush. If the wait is long, you can
always order a smoothie or some coffee and relax on the patio.
The food is worth it.

3. Fogo de Chão Churrascaria

Prepare to satisfy all of your carnivorous cravings. Bring
a hearty appetite and try as many different cuts of meat as
possible. "The only bad part is that all meals since then pale in
comparison," says one Foursquare user. Complement it all with a
passionfruit caipirinha, and you'll already be excited to come
back.

2. Carnaval Brazilian Grill

"Farofa, fried bananas and meat," says a Foursquare user.
Sounds like a pretty good combination. The Rodízio is the obvious
way to go for carnivores, but vegetarian options like the
portobello mushroom sandwich and grilled pineapple are also
top-tier. The service and ambience are fantastic for dates and
large groups alike.

1. Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse

This place has earned its spot at the top of Foursquare's list
with exquisite service, fabulous food, and a first-rate
atmosphere. Every menu item exudes perfection - from the meats,
to the salads, to the drinks, to the desserts. "The food is
not cooked by chefs, it's cooked by ARTISTS," gushes one
Foursquare user. Judging by the restaurant's sky-high rating, it
seems that many people agree.